More fish

0n a recent visit to Gdansk in Poland, ( which is, by the way a beautiful city, and worth a visit)
I was reminded how much fish in all its shapes and forms and flavours has been part of my life.

Delicious Roll Mops ( pickled herring)
Great hangover cure!

I got the love for good fish from my father who was born in in the "county" of Gdansk which was the Freestate of Danzig, when he was born. One of my first memories is, that he taught me how to eat pan fried fresh herring, delicious when you know how it is done. ( you bite into the back of the fish and thus avoid the fishbones!) He loved cod, salted herrings, pickled herrings and above all smoked and fresh eel. He was the one who wanted "Blue carp" at Christmas, but my mother won and we used to have goose ( she was from Saxony, recipe to follow nearer Christmas)
So on this visit I made sure I had my share of fish dishes.
We had a wonderful food experience in a restaurant which is called "Metamorforza", a restaurant in Gdansk which serves Polish cuisine but to a very high standard using a lot of local seasonal ingredients. We took the taster menu of seven courses and every one was an outstanding eating experience. Today I just want to mention the fresh sea trout from the Baltic, pan fried ( as it should be) served with little crushed  fresh elderberries and some stewed gooseberries. It was simply delicious.
The following recipe is quickly done and the most important ingredient here is the fresh fish. Once the fish is done, it should be eaten as quick as possible. Preferably eat the fish first and then the sides, so you can enjoy the crispy batter at its best

Cod in batter

Ingredients

Approx 500 g Fresh cod or haddock
some some salt
juice of fresh lemon

rapeseed or sunflower oil for frying

Batter
1 egg
2 Tbsp plain flour
2 Tbsp corn flour
a little salt and pepper
enough water ( or white wine or sparkling wine or beer)
to make a silky smooth batter ( thickness as for crêpes)

Note: this batter is equally perfect for Tempura or anything you want to fry in batter

Method

1. Run the fish under fresh water  and dry with kitchen paper.

2. Lightly salt the fish and squeeze some lemon juice on it

3. Prepare the batter, simply put all ingredients
into a bowl and whisk until the batter is smooth and silky.
Dip the fish into the batter and coat from all sides

4. Preheat the pan with enough oil so that the fish can "swim" in it.

5. Fry the fish until golden brown on each side.
6. Serve immediately

Sides
There is nothing better than very plain sides with fresh fish like that. I usually do small potatoes in the oven and some petit pois ( frozen) Or you can do the traditional mushy peas and chips. The recipe for the small potatoes you will find under Sides

Delicious Battered Fish!